Botswana

·amura· conservancy • conservación 126 • Foto / Photo: PXHERE / OAKLAND ZOO / GETTY / ROUND DRIVER / TASAFARIS B otswana is considered one of the leading countries in terms of conservation efforts. Over the years it has actively fought against poaching while promoting the preserva- tion of endangered and threatened spe- cies, particularly of black and white rhi- nos, elephants and the big cats, which are constantly hunted and killed for the ille- gal wildlife trade. Rhino horns, elephants’ ivory tusks, plus cats’ pelts and organs are in high demand in the Eastern Asian black market; this has encouraged poachers to break into protected areas to hunt hun- dreds of specimens per year. Fortunately, countless organizations are doing what they can to help, setting up funds and raising awareness of the importance of wildlife welfare.